Stefan Bradl sees Mugello as a perfect opportunity, but not just to win

Stefan Bradl and Aprilia have a brand new RS-GP to try out and Mugello happens to be the perfect stage for it.

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Bradl and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini will be debuting the new RS-GP before a home crowd for the first time in 2016. Both he and teammate Alvaro Bautista will have more upgrades waiting for them before they head to the track on Friday. The upgrades will be centred mostly on electronics and Bradl will be able to work with a stable base instead of having to experiment with wildly different settings. While rain will likely not be destroying chances of gathering useful data, the weather is far from the only reason they’re all excited to be testing on Mugello.

“Mugello is a track where we riders have fun racing. The circuit is fantastic, but most of all, the atmosphere and the Italian fans are really welcoming. In terms of layout, it has everything we need: direction changes, slope changes and a long straight stretch. This will be an important race for Aprilia – the first home race – so all eyes will be on us, but I am confident that if we stay focused and patient, we’ll continue to demonstrate how our potential is growing.”

Stefan Bradl

So you couldn’t guess that the last reason was that Mugello is fun, fun, fun for anyone on a bike? If you’re going to be showing off a brand new bike, it’s in your best interest to look like you’re enjoying it. And Bradl looking like one happy camper as he speeds down the circuit is exactly the sort of debut the RS-GP needs to make a lasting impression. Add that to a raucously approving home crowd and you have yourself a winning formula, even without an actual victory.